1. (1) Feeding means using, placing, giving, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering any material to attract one or more black bears to feed on such material.

2. (2) Incidental or indirect feeding means using, placing, giving, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering any material for a different purpose but which attracts one or more black bears. This includes storage of garbage or refuse and use and storage of birdseed in a manner that is accessible to black bears.

   (c) Prohibited activities.

   It is a violation for any person to:

3. (1) feed black bears, except as authorized by section 187.2 of this Part;
4. (2) incidentally or indirectly feed black bears after the department has issued a written notice to the person or persons directly responsible for the incidental or indirect feeding of a black bear.

(a) Purpose.

The purpose of this section is to protect public safety while conserving New York's black bear populations. The deliberate, intentional feeding of black bears is prohibited. The incidental, indirect feeding of black bears becomes unlawful once a written warning has been issued by the department.

(b) Definitions.